Disability Studies
What is disability studies?
Disability Studies aims to make scholars, students, and contemporary citizens aware of the ideas of disabilities prevalent throughout society. Scholars examine how disability is perceived in the social and natural sciences, history, society, and literature. By analyzing the reception of disabled individuals, those participating in disability studies anticipate educating the public about the plight of the disabled and raising awareness for equal treatment and understanding.
What is considered disabled?
Disability includes both physical and mental disabilities. Analyses of the disabled have also been expanded to include disfigurements, illnesses, and injuries. Disability studies have also been combined with feminism, queer theory, and marxism; thereby, pushing the boundaries of labels of disabilities.
The medical model of disability
The medical model of disability holds that the individual should be examined as an individual with a specific disability. The disabled person is isolated from others who may have a similar disability. There is a strong push to find a solution and cure for the disabled.
The social model of disability
The social model of disability views the disability not as something that needs to be cured and fixed, but as something that can make the person stronger. The problem is not with the disabled person, but with society's view of disability. Society needs to adjust its perspectives on disability, and in doing so, society will find it easier to accept the disabled as they are.
Disability Studies aims to make scholars, students, and contemporary citizens aware of the ideas of disabilities prevalent throughout society. Scholars examine how disability is perceived in the social and natural sciences, history, society, and literature. By analyzing the reception of disabled individuals, those participating in disability studies anticipate educating the public about the plight of the disabled and raising awareness for equal treatment and understanding.
What is considered disabled?
Disability includes both physical and mental disabilities. Analyses of the disabled have also been expanded to include disfigurements, illnesses, and injuries. Disability studies have also been combined with feminism, queer theory, and marxism; thereby, pushing the boundaries of labels of disabilities.
The medical model of disability
The medical model of disability holds that the individual should be examined as an individual with a specific disability. The disabled person is isolated from others who may have a similar disability. There is a strong push to find a solution and cure for the disabled.
The social model of disability
The social model of disability views the disability not as something that needs to be cured and fixed, but as something that can make the person stronger. The problem is not with the disabled person, but with society's view of disability. Society needs to adjust its perspectives on disability, and in doing so, society will find it easier to accept the disabled as they are.